Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1887-07-08
President Cleveland Will Not Visit
the West This Summer and
Autumn as Proposed.
Letter to the Mayor OF St. Louis Ex-
planning the Reasons Why He
Will Not Visit the City.
His Unpopularity With the Grand
Army the Result Of a Differ
ence Of Opinion.
Something Like "BlOody Shirt"

settled that the president will not visit the
northwest during the present year. The
abandonment of his proposed visit to st.
Louis has resulted in wholly changing
whatever plans he had made for visiting
western cities. 1t is stated at the white
house this afternoon that the plans the
president has made for leaving Washing
ton during the summer and autumn are
those for his visit to Clinton. N. Y. on the
18th inst, which will probably not con-
sumo altogether more than weeks time,
and for his visit to Atlanta on the occasion
of the Georgia state fair.
THE REASONS WHY.
ST. LOUIS, July THE following is an
extract from the letter of President Cleve-
land to Mayor Francis. revoking his prom
ise to visit the city during the Grand Army
of the Republic encampment: "Immedi-
ately npon public announcement of my in
tention to visit St. Louis, expressions en-
anating from certain important members
of the Grand Army of the Republic, and
strained me to review my acceptance of
these invitations. The expressions re-
ferred to 60 to the extent of declaring that
would be an unWelcome guest at the
time and place of the national encamp-
ment. This statement is based, as we'll as
mine involving important public interests,
done under the restraints and obligations
of my oath of Office, which do not appear
to accord with the wishes of some men,
bers of the Grand Army of the Republic.
l should not be frank if l failed to confess.
while disclaiming all resentment. that l
have been hurt by these unworthy and
wanton attacks upon me and the reck-
less manner in which my actions and
motives have been misrepresented, both
publicly and privately-for which, how
ever, the Grand Army of the Republic as
body is not responsible. Threats of per-
sonal violence and harm in case under
take the trip in question which scores OF
misguided, unbalanced men under the
stimulation of excited feeling have made
are not even considered. Rather than
abandon my visit to the west and disap-
point your citizens. might, if alone were
concerned, submit to the insult to which it
is quite openly asserted would be help
lessly subjected if present at the encamp-
ment, but should bear with me there the
highest Office Of the people, the dignity Of
which l must protect, and I believe that
neither the Grand Army of the Republic as
an organization nor anything like
majority Of its members would ever
encourage any scandalous attack upon
it. If, however, among the membership
of this body there are some, as certainly
seems to he the case, determined to de-
nOunce me and my official acts at the ma
tional encampment, believe they should
be permitted to do SO unrestrained by my
presence as a guest of their organization or
as guest of the hOspitable city in which
their meeting is held. A number Of Grand
Army posts have signified their intention,
l am Informed, to remain away from the
eneampment in case visit the city at that
time. Without considering the merit OF
be the cause OF such nOn-attendanse. An
other consideration, of more Importance
than all the others, remains the fact that
was referred to by you when you verbally
presented the invitation of the citizens of
st. Louis, that the coming encampment of
the Grand Army of the Republic would be
the first held in the southern states. sup
pose the fact was mentioned as pleasing
Indication of the fraternal feeling that is
fast gaining ground throughout the entire
land and hailed by every patriotic citizen
as evidence that the union has really and
in fact been saved, in sentiment and in
spirit, with all the benefits 1t vOuchsafed
to united people. cannot rid myself of
the belief that the least discOrd on this pro-
pitiOus occasion might retard the progress
of the sentiment of common brotherhood,
which the Grand Army of the Republic has
SO good an opportunity to increase and
foster. certainly ought not to be the
cause Of such discOrd in any event or on
any preteXt."
HOW 1T Is RECEIVED.
The presidents letter to Mayor Francis
his acceptance of the invita-
ton of the people of St. Louis to visit this
city during the Grand Army encampment
has stirred up hot and diversified ex-
preston of opinion. The committee that
toook the invitation to the president feel
that their labor has been in vain and are
strong in their denunciation of the men
who were instrumental In the defeat OF
their plans. The chagrin was so great
with many that they wished TO organize
10 invite the Grand Army to
find another place for their encampment,
and some promised very Icy reception TO
the gallant soldiers. There were many
others, however, who saw the wisdom 0t